on Breeding T-urnix lepurana hi German Bird-rooms. 219


and frequently uttered its pairing cry. “The latter consists

merely of two long-drawn penetrating notes, and is frequently

repeated at short intervals ten or twelve times in succession.

The first note is pitched higher and is longer sustained, the

second note is about an octave deeper and rather shorter. By a

longer repetition of the cry it acquires added vigour towards the

finish ; although it proceeds from the closed bill it is yet audible

at a good distance, sounding muffled and hollow, the direction

whence it conies being difficult to determine. It is projected

with the same effort and similar delivery to that of the Black¬

necked Hemipode ; moreover in preparation for it an unpleasing

gasping for air chacterizes it, and with each effort the sides of

the neck are blown out to a remarkable extent.


This cry is only peculiar to the female: as soon as she

utters it her mate approaches and pecks her coyly on the head

and back with amorous intent: thus they proceed for a consider¬

able time until the pairing takes place, when the female crouches

flat upon the earth.


As soon as incubation begins, both old birds discontinue

these antics, and recommence them just before the next laying.

Sometimes the female utters a loud rattling, sometimes also a

growling cry, which seems to me to be intended to call her mate

to her. Even in the nesting-season the male continues almost

as placid and calm as ever: I only heard a soft ick from him

when the adults were in company, and an equally soft clucking

whenever he called the young together. When anxious he

utters loud cries sounding like tschugg ; and if he is alone he

gives voice to a loud rattling cry like the hen, but more by fits

and starts, and not so powerful and continuous.


The pair had scarcely been a week in the birdroom before

they had constructed their nest close to the entrance-door. When

they had been exposed to many kinds of interruption, Mr. Hauth

obviated this by repeatedly removing the building-material of

the nest. They now selected a vacant spot at the edge of the

reeds, and utilized all sorts of coarse and fine fibre and stalks,

showing the chief preference for slender dry straw-coloured

stalks. The nest was thick, with a large entrance-hole ; formed

with a high arch, so that the crouching, that is, brooding bird



